We’ve all become so obsessed with having the perfect image. But this is what we’ve lost

May 21, 2026 — 5:00am

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Here’s a hypothetical for you: would you want to become sublimely beautiful, famous and revered even if it meant never being able to comfortably leave your home? As much I don’t want to believe anyone would answer “hell yes” to this Faustian pact, I know some would, and I see evidence of it on a daily basis.

You see, I’ve been on deadline for the past few weeks, which means I’ve been doing anything but write. Instead, I’ve been thumbing down the mindless abyss of Instagram, watching trashy videos on YouTube, and scrutinising celebrity red carpets with maudlin curiosity.

While I’ve been wading through this putrid puddle, I’ve picked apart every open pore, sagging jowl, altered hairline, concave and curve of the celebrated for my enjoyment. And what an eye-opening insight into the screwed-up reality that is “In Real Life” it has been.

One of the first sites I discovered zoomed in on the faces of the parading beauties in direct, unfiltered light. And damn, it was alarming. This was not because I saw pimples,........

© Brisbane Times